The Tenner Bet is in red light territory this week.
And, no, I don't mean a backstreet in Amsterdam, I'm referring specifically to the needle on the Bet-o-meter which is so low it's got the bends. The solution in the past has been to change direction and in this instance I'm setting a sou-sou westerly course for the United States of America.
American Football is often said to be one of the easiest markets to make money in. Now, either I am doing something wrong or it's not quite that easy. I fear it is the former rather than the latter explanation but I demur too much. I have been keeping a closer eye than usual on the old gridiron as a consequence of a particularly competitive office NFL Fantasy League. Only the New Orleans Saints let down a four- timer last weekend and as such I'm reigning in ambitions this weekend and opting for a treble.
Cincinnati@Baltimore
The Bengals have the chance to all but sew up the NFC North with a win over the defending Super Bowl champions who look a shadow of their former selves. The Ravens have lost three straight games and won just one of their last five. They have kept games tight for the most part but their defense is not the beast it was in following the departures of the sport's greatest linebacker in Ray Lewis and another future hall of famer in safety Ed Reed. The Bengals can be ugly, but they can just as easily be sublime and the spread available in places at Cincinnati -1 with a best price of 10/11 (888.com) that is the pick. For those new to NFL gambling, that means the Ravens begin the match with a one-point head start.
Seattle@Atlanta
The Seahawks have not been playing particularly well but nevertheless have won their last four. They are six-point favourites this weekend and that might be cause for alarm given that they are 1-4 against the spread in their past five games (or about the same length of time as the offensive line has been without key components Russell Okung and Max Unger. These sides met in the play-offs last year and the Falcons won 30-28 but that was with Julio Jones and Roddy White on offense. One is out for the season and the other's ankle is so banged up he missed his first game in 112 starts. That said, it's hard to like the Seahawks at present and, at 18/19, Atlanta are the pick.
Philadelphia@Green Bay
Nick Foles might just have saved the Eagles' season with his record equalling seven-touchdown performance in Oakland. Yes, the Raiders' did their best to gift Philadelphia the win and we must excuse two no-shows in the games before the dismantling of Oakland but Philadelphia +2.5 makes sense against Green Bay, who have lost Aaron Rodgers (broken collarbone) and were already without long-term injured Randall Cobb. The Eagles (4-5), who have tightened up on defense, are the selection.
THE BET
A treble containing Cincinnati, Atlanta and Philadelphia pays 6.11/1 which would go some way to offsetting the figure below.
SEASON'S TOTAL
It says something about recent bets that my only winner last weekend was a horse I clicked on by accident . . . -£66.60
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